I can see it now: "Bobcats bring back Vincent, blame failures on injury-ridden season"
Did you see today's Observer? The injury excuse is in full effect.
As Ramsey would say: SHUT IT DOWN!
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amcoolio
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Walter Cronkite, I am not a proponent of tanking as I have condemned it in the past. However, these Bobcats aren't winning another game, as optimistic about the Bobcats as I am (and im pretty optimistic, unlike the Panthers, where I always expect bad seasons).
Did you see today's Observer? The injury excuse is in full effect.
Did you see today's Observer? The injury excuse is in full effect.
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JValone
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We didn't have May last year and we still fought harder than this while Ammo had one of the worst PERs in the league, I don't see how either of them being injured pushed us down to the cellar. We added J-Rich too, so even if you assume Ammo was a big part of our marginal success in 06-07 he's obviously an upgrade. The injury excuse seems sort of delusional. We've had far worse injuries the last few seasons, losing Okafor and Crash for long stretches. Up until the concussion our core was healthier then I ever remembered it being over the course of a season.
Even with the adversity we've had this season exceeding last year's win total was a realistic goal. If we did that we'd be in the mix for the 8th spot right now, which says a lot of how horrible our conference is but think of what a confidence booster that would be. This was a golden opportunity for our franchise to break through when everyone else is mediocre outside of Detroit/Boston/Orlando but we blew it.
Bernie only had a couple plays but the guys ran them like they were in the Finals. The intensity was always there, every time we lost I could sit back and say "well, we lost but I sure am proud of having this team" because I knew they gave it 100%. Until we remove Vincent we'll be in bad shape, he came in and lost the motivation Bernie had cultivated and didn't add any of the tactical stuff we'd been lacking. I just hope MJ and the front office doesn't buy the injury excuse, if they do it's just holding us back.
That seems like a pretty negative assessment but if someone had come on this board after last summer's draft and said "enjoy your 25 wins" everyone would have laughed him away. If Jordan makes excuses it won't help anything, as a player he never settled for that and it got results. He needs to care that much with this situation too, I hope he does.
Even with the adversity we've had this season exceeding last year's win total was a realistic goal. If we did that we'd be in the mix for the 8th spot right now, which says a lot of how horrible our conference is but think of what a confidence booster that would be. This was a golden opportunity for our franchise to break through when everyone else is mediocre outside of Detroit/Boston/Orlando but we blew it.
Bernie only had a couple plays but the guys ran them like they were in the Finals. The intensity was always there, every time we lost I could sit back and say "well, we lost but I sure am proud of having this team" because I knew they gave it 100%. Until we remove Vincent we'll be in bad shape, he came in and lost the motivation Bernie had cultivated and didn't add any of the tactical stuff we'd been lacking. I just hope MJ and the front office doesn't buy the injury excuse, if they do it's just holding us back.
That seems like a pretty negative assessment but if someone had come on this board after last summer's draft and said "enjoy your 25 wins" everyone would have laughed him away. If Jordan makes excuses it won't help anything, as a player he never settled for that and it got results. He needs to care that much with this situation too, I hope he does.
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Walt Cronkite
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So what are our thoughts, is that a justifiable excuse?
Sure, if we don't lose May, we have a starting PF...but no one realistically expected to not lose May for at least 30 games or so, agreed?
The Morrison loss hurts depth in general, but we were so stacked at the wing that we were questioning the JYDudley pick because when would he even get to play? So sure, no Morrison means less scoring off of the bench, but how many more games does that win us? Do we think Sam would've had success using him (Interesting Bizzaro world "What If?"--What if Vincent planned on using Morrison how Avery Johnson uses Dirk Nowitzki, hoping Okafor/Brezec/Wallace/Richardson could make up for his inferior rebounding. What if Felton/Richardson/Wallace/Morrison/Okafor would've won 45 games and qualified for a top seed in the playoffs!!)
Wallace is the heart and soul of the team, but his style of play leads to injury.
Richardson has gotten hurt some, same as Felton, but neither in excess to what you would expect over an 82 game season.
Verdict? Personally, I feel like this has been one of the more tame injury based seasons for the Cats.
Sure, if we don't lose May, we have a starting PF...but no one realistically expected to not lose May for at least 30 games or so, agreed?
The Morrison loss hurts depth in general, but we were so stacked at the wing that we were questioning the JYDudley pick because when would he even get to play? So sure, no Morrison means less scoring off of the bench, but how many more games does that win us? Do we think Sam would've had success using him (Interesting Bizzaro world "What If?"--What if Vincent planned on using Morrison how Avery Johnson uses Dirk Nowitzki, hoping Okafor/Brezec/Wallace/Richardson could make up for his inferior rebounding. What if Felton/Richardson/Wallace/Morrison/Okafor would've won 45 games and qualified for a top seed in the playoffs!!)
Wallace is the heart and soul of the team, but his style of play leads to injury.
Richardson has gotten hurt some, same as Felton, but neither in excess to what you would expect over an 82 game season.
Verdict? Personally, I feel like this has been one of the more tame injury based seasons for the Cats.
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Paydro70
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Whether we want #1 or not, it's basically impossible at this point.
Realistically, we are the #29 team on the Hollinger ratings, and that's mostly WITH Wallace. So it's quite possible that even without "trying" we'll fall to at least fifth. Beyond that, it would require one of Seattle, Minnesota, or Memphis passing us. Honestly, I don't see how it can happen. Even without Gerald, we are better than those teams. Even with extensive minutes for Hollins and Davidson and Dudley (actually Dudley might make us win more), it would be surprising to me if we fall behind any of those teams.
Never say never, of course, and we only lead those teams by 4-5 games. But... I'm skeptical. Fifth would be nice though, it's a substantial improvement over 6th.
Realistically, we are the #29 team on the Hollinger ratings, and that's mostly WITH Wallace. So it's quite possible that even without "trying" we'll fall to at least fifth. Beyond that, it would require one of Seattle, Minnesota, or Memphis passing us. Honestly, I don't see how it can happen. Even without Gerald, we are better than those teams. Even with extensive minutes for Hollins and Davidson and Dudley (actually Dudley might make us win more), it would be surprising to me if we fall behind any of those teams.
Never say never, of course, and we only lead those teams by 4-5 games. But... I'm skeptical. Fifth would be nice though, it's a substantial improvement over 6th.
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amcoolio
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I don't think so. I think it is really possible to have a monumental collapse, winning 2 games the rest of the way. Miami and Seattle could both heat up and at least get to 22-25 wins.
I mean, look at our schedule, its all on the road, and multiple west coast trips. I can't see us winning against any team in the west besides Seattle and Minny, and even then those teams could get hot against us.
In the East, who can we beat? We got routed by the Knicks. The Heat beat us the last time we played (do we even play them again?). All the other potential playoff teams have beaten us pretty handily except Indiana.
I'm really not sure. But I think this is our year to get lucky in the lottery. Lord knows we need it.
If we don't get Beasley, thats fine, because I want Jamison as our starting PF and then draft a PG.
I mean, look at our schedule, its all on the road, and multiple west coast trips. I can't see us winning against any team in the west besides Seattle and Minny, and even then those teams could get hot against us.
In the East, who can we beat? We got routed by the Knicks. The Heat beat us the last time we played (do we even play them again?). All the other potential playoff teams have beaten us pretty handily except Indiana.
I'm really not sure. But I think this is our year to get lucky in the lottery. Lord knows we need it.
If we don't get Beasley, thats fine, because I want Jamison as our starting PF and then draft a PG.
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Paydro70
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Well it's certainly possible... mathematically we're expected to finish the season with 25 wins right now (Pythagorean, not based on our win %). If we're much worse with Gerald, it's possible that we do only win 2-3 games. I doubt it though, and I doubt even more than Miami suddenly morphs into a .500 team. They're horrrrrrible.
Seattle is much more feasible, they would only have to go 7-22 to finish the season with 22 wins.
It's not important "who we can beat." Any NBA team can beat any NBA team at any time. Even the Grizz, who were TRYING to lose, finished the season with wins over San Antonio and Denver (plus one against Minnesota). Wins happen, no matter how bad you are.
Seattle is much more feasible, they would only have to go 7-22 to finish the season with 22 wins.
It's not important "who we can beat." Any NBA team can beat any NBA team at any time. Even the Grizz, who were TRYING to lose, finished the season with wins over San Antonio and Denver (plus one against Minnesota). Wins happen, no matter how bad you are.
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Dantares
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hi, pissed off knicks fan here. I am a little upset that you guys will most likely get another top 5 pick when you already have all those talented youngsters on your roster, a franchise talent is what the Knicks need so much more than any other team in the league, sadly our team is built around Zach Randolph and Jamal Crawford, which is horrible compared to Okafor/Wallace/Felton.
Anyways I was just wondering if there was anyway you guys would pass on any of the guards. I see some of your fans saying you need a point guard. And if Derrick Rose is not there, what are the chances of you guys drafting OJ Mayo, Eric Gordon, or Jerryd Bayless? none of them are true PG's. Let's say you do pass the Knicks in lottery position any chance that you guys would pass on OJ Mayo? I dont know your situation, and if MJ views J-rich as the future at the 2-guard spot or not but this is the guy the majority of the fans on the Knicks board want.
Anyways I was just wondering if there was anyway you guys would pass on any of the guards. I see some of your fans saying you need a point guard. And if Derrick Rose is not there, what are the chances of you guys drafting OJ Mayo, Eric Gordon, or Jerryd Bayless? none of them are true PG's. Let's say you do pass the Knicks in lottery position any chance that you guys would pass on OJ Mayo? I dont know your situation, and if MJ views J-rich as the future at the 2-guard spot or not but this is the guy the majority of the fans on the Knicks board want.
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fatlever
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on a side note: the bobcats are getting rid of the $199 season ticket deal, which means i will not be renewing my season tickets for next season.
http://www.charlotte.com/bobcats/story/515337.html
i was having a hard enough time making it to weekday games anyway. i'll be damned if i'm gonna pay a lot more money to go to 20 or so games just to watch us get our asses kicked. at 5 bucks a ticket i didnt mind. at 20 bucks a ticket (or whatever)........no thanks.
http://www.charlotte.com/bobcats/story/515337.html
i was having a hard enough time making it to weekday games anyway. i'll be damned if i'm gonna pay a lot more money to go to 20 or so games just to watch us get our asses kicked. at 5 bucks a ticket i didnt mind. at 20 bucks a ticket (or whatever)........no thanks.
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Paydro70
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It is completely insane that we went from "can we get #1" to "can we make the playoffs" in a week.
The power of McInnis is astounding... he apparently has a greater negative effect on the team than Gerald Wallace does positive. After this season we should make a roundup of all the quotes about him, he may have single-handedly ruined our year, or been cut JUST IN TIME.
The power of McInnis is astounding... he apparently has a greater negative effect on the team than Gerald Wallace does positive. After this season we should make a roundup of all the quotes about him, he may have single-handedly ruined our year, or been cut JUST IN TIME.